Automatic pull-down shelf assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an automatic pull-down shelf assembly. The assembly can be easily installed within existing article storage racks or cabinets or new cabinets or racks can be built with this assembly. The assembly allows a user to move shelves closer to the user. The assembly includes a cabinet or rack, moving shelves, a pair of shelf guide mechanism, a prime mover, a controller and an operating device. The shelf guide mechanism includes a transition mechanism, a mounting plate, a first bracket, a vertical arm, a second bracket, a horizontal arm and a pivotal arm. The controller enables the assembly to move from a retracted position to the extended position and vice versa as per command received from the user. The assembly can be remotely controlled by software running on an operating device.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an automated shelf assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a motor operated automated storage system for cabinets or racks that raises or lowers storage shelves maintaining an optimal height and is provided with a shelf guide mechanism for movement of the shelves between an extended position and a retracted position.

BACKGROUND

Shelves are flat, horizontal and dense devices used for items that are displayed or stored in a home, business, store, or elsewhere. Shelves are raised off the floor and often anchored to a wall, supported on its shorter length sides by brackets, or otherwise anchored to cabinetry by brackets, dowels, screws, or nails. The items can include paper files such as files and books, etc. According to the purposes and based on the items stored, the shelves can be divided into archive shelves, book shelves, accounting shelves, case shelves, and storage shelves. The emergence of dense shelves eased the long-standing problem of warehouse tension and improved storage conditions. In order to retrieve items stored on the shelves high up in the cabinet, a user needs to stand preciously on a ladder or on a stool or a like. This practice is dangerous, especially for children, elderly and for physically challenged people.

To overcome this problem, the shelves are provided with pull down assemblies. Generally, these assemblies lower the shelves using inherently complicated mechanism. The mechanism uses biasing members, linkage mechanisms and/or pulleys. Some of the shelf assemblies are costly. Also to reach the assembly can also be a challenge sometimes.

Following are some of the attempts made to design shelf assemblies in order to provide automatic guide mechanisms.

JP2002096907A provides a trackless motor shelf that relates to an electric movable rack, and more particularly to a rail less electric movable rack whose wheels directly move on a floor without using rails. A pair of rail-shaped guides are arranged in parallel along a traveling direction at intervals from a back face of the moving shelf single body. A pair of front and rear axles orthogonally crossing a moving shelf single body traveling direction are provided by at least one pairs on a back face side and a front side, and the axles on the front side and axles on the back face side are driven by each of different electric motors.

JP2017043461A provides a moving rack device and control method of moving rack device that relates to a movable shelf apparatus having a movable shelf movable on a floor surface in a facility and a control method of the movable shelf apparatus. Before the movement of moving racks, it is confirmed whether or not an obstacle exists about the whole of an inter-rack passage which is opened to a front side of the moving racks in a forward direction by the determination of the detection of the existence of the obstacle in a pre-movement detection range by an obstacle sensor, and after a start of the movement.

CN209543442U provides an unmanned shelf replenishment system that relates to a product sales management system based on a two-dimensional code.

Although, there are a number of solutions in the form of the automatic shelf assemblies, none of them are operated using a mobile phone or remote. Although, some of the prior existing assemblies attempt to create an automatic shelf with a guide mechanism, but those solution fails to meet the user's requirement. In the view of above prior art, it can be understood that many automatic assemblies have been designed in an attempt to provide a similar solution, however they are complex, expensive, and inefficient.

In the light of foregoing, there is need for an automatic pull-down shelf assembly that overcomes problems prevalent in the prior art.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic pull-down shelf assembly that uses simple guide mechanism wherein the user is able to bring the shelves close to them using either a button, or a command given on an operating device such as mobile phone. It is allowed to increase or decrease number of shelves as per height required at an extended position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic pull-down shelf assembly that reduces human effort and can be easily and safely operated by children, elderly and physically challenged people.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic pull-down shelf assembly configured to limit the extension of the shelf assembly beyond an extended position.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic pull-down shelf assembly which is reliable, cost efficient, durable and compact.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic pull-down shelf assembly, wherein optionally the assembly can be easily installed within an existing cabinet.

It is an object of the present invention to use a switch or computer/mobile phone to control the movement of the shelves.

It is an object of the present invention that a person can remotely control the operation of the shelves using a piece of software or an app running on the operating device.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. These and other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text figure, with like reference numbers referring to like structures across the views, wherein:

FIG. 1. shows a view of an automatic pull-down shelf assembly at a retracted position in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2. shows a view of the automatic pull-down shelf assembly of FIG. 1 with front doors;

FIG. 3. shows a front view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4. shows a cross sectional side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5. shows a schematic representation of a shelf guide mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6. shows another view of the automatic pull-down shelf assembly of FIG. 1 at an extended position;

FIG. 7. shows a front view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8. shows a cross sectional side view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9. shows a schematic representation of the shelf guide mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10. shows a cross sectional side view for an alternative embodiment of an automatic pull-down shelf assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11. shows a cross sectional side view for yet another alternative embodiment of an automatic pull-down shelf assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12. shows a user operating the automatic pull-down shelf assembly of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13. shows a user operating an alternative embodiment of the automatic pull-down shelf assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14. shows a view of a camera rail of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 15. shows a front view of the camera rail of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments, illustrating its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any methods, and systems similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments, the preferred methods, and systems are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary.

The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, several materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The various features and embodiments of the present invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying figures, namely FIGS. 1-15, which should be regarded as merely illustrative without restricting the scope and ambit of the present invention.

A shelf is a flat, horizontal and dense devices used for items that are displayed or stored in a home, business, store, or elsewhere. The present invention provides an automatic pull-down shelf assembly. The assembly uses a simple guide mechanism that allows a user to increase or decrease a number of shelves as per height required at an extended position. The assembly reduces the human efforts and can be easily and safely operated by children, elderly and physically challenged people. The assembly provides a provision to limit the extension of a shelf assembly beyond an extended position. The assembly is reliable, cost efficient, durable and compact. The assembly can be easily installed with existing article storing cabinets. The assembly can also be built into new racks or cabinets.

From herein afterwards the assembly is referred as the assembly (100). Referring now to the FIG. 1, the assembly (100) includes a rack or cabinet (101), one or more moving shelves (102), a pair of shelf guide mechanism (103), at least one prime mover (104 a), a controller (not seen), and an operating device (114).

The cabinet (101) is mounted to a rigid surface. Generally, the cabinet is anchored to a wall. The shelves (102) are movably configured inside the rack or cabinet. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the cabinet (101) is provided with one or more front doors (115) for closing and opening of the rack or cabinet (101). The doors (115) are rotatably connected to the rack or cabinet (101). An automatic mechanism controllable by an operating device (114) may be optionally provided to open and close these doors (115). The operating device (114) in such scenarios may embody software or an app embodies therein.

The pair of shelf guide mechanisms (103) are mounted to the shelf (102) as shown in FIG. 3. The pair of shelf guide mechanisms (103) allow the shelves (102) to move between an extended position, and a retracted position. The shelves (102) are added or removed as per a height required at the extended position. The height at the extended position is the height that a user can reach out easily. At the retracted position, the shelves (102) are pushed up inside the rack or cabinet (101) as shown in FIG. 3. At the extended position, the shelves (102) are pulled down outside the rack or cabinet (101) as shown in FIG. 6.

A power source may be used to provide energy to the assembly (100). The power source may include a battery or a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the energy is provided to the assembly (100) using an external power source.

The prime mover (104 a) provides a power to the assembly (100). More specifically, the power provided to the assembly (100) is a rotary power. The prime mover (104 a) is an AC motor or a DC motor.

Referring now to the FIG. 5 and the FIG. 9, the shelf guide mechanism (103) includes a transition mechanism (104), a connecting member (105), a mounting plate (106), a first bracket (107), a vertical arm (108), a second bracket (110), a horizontal arm (109), and a pivotal arm (111).

The transition mechanism (104) receives the motion from the prime mover (104 a). The transition mechanism receives a rotary motion from the prime mover (104 a) and converts the received rotary motion into a linear motion. The transition mechanism (104) is connected to the connecting member (105) as shown in FIG. 8. The transition mechanism (104) includes a gear arrangement or a lead screw arrangement or a belt drive arrangement or a chain drive arrangement. In the preferred embodiment, the transition mechanism used is the lead screw mechanism. The transition mechanism (104) allows the connecting member (105) to move between a top position and a bottom position.

The mounting plate (106) is fixed to the rack or cabinet (101) as shown in FIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting plate (106) is fixed to a side wall of the rack or cabinet (101). The mounting plate (106) provides a surface for mounting the shelf guide mechanism (103).

Referring further to the FIG. 5, the first bracket (107) is fixed to the mounting plate (106). The first bracket (107) is a vertically arranged rectangular bracket opened at a top end and enclosed at a bottom end. Further, the vertical arm (108) is configured with the first bracket (107) such that the vertical arm (108) slides in the first bracket (107). Furthermore, the vertical arm (108) is fixed to the connecting member (105). The vertical arm (108) allows the shelves (102) to move up and down. The vertical arm (108) may be a telescopic arm.

Referring further to the FIG. 9, the second bracket (110) is fixed to the connecting member (105). The second bracket (110) is a horizontally arranged rectangular bracket opened at a front end and enclosed at a rare end. Further, an end of the horizontal arm (109) is fixed to the shelves (102). Furthermore, the horizontal arm (109) is configured with the second bracket (110) such that the horizontal arm (109) slides in the second bracket (110). The horizontal arm (109) may be a telescopic arm.

The pivotal arm (111) is pivotally fixed to the mounting plate (106) at a pivotal end. The pivotal arm (111) is fixed to the shelves (102) at a pivot arm distal end. The pivotal arm (111) is rotatable about a pivotal axis. The horizontal arm (109) and the pivotal arm (111) allow the shelves (102) to move in and out.

Referring now to the FIG. 1, the operating device (114) is provided with the rack or cabinet (101). The operating device (114) is a knob or a pressure switch or a mechanical switch or an electromagnetic switch or an electromechanical switch or a press button or a lever. The user needs to operate the operating device (114) in a first manner or in a second manner in order to operate the assembly (100).

When the operating device (114) is operated in the first manner, the prime mover (104 a) rotates in a first direction. The first direction is a clockwise direction or an anticlockwise direction. The prime mover (104 a) thereby allows the transition mechanism (104) to move the connecting member (105) from the bottom position to the top position. Further, the moving of the connecting member (105) from the bottom position to the top position enables the assembly (100) to move from the extended position to the retracted position. At the retracted position, the vertical arm (108) is extended outside the first bracket (107) and the horizontal arm (109) is retracted inside the second bracket (110) in order to move the shelves (102) in the rack or cabinet (101). The retraction of the horizontal arm (109) moves the pivotal arm (111) closure towards the connecting member (105) in order to push the shelf (102) up inside the rack or cabinet (101). Therefore, at the retracted position, the shelves (102) are pushed up inside the rack or cabinet (101) as shown in the FIG. 4.

Similarly, when the operating device (114) is operated in the second manner, the prime mover (104 a) rotates in a second direction. The second direction is the anticlockwise direction or the clockwise direction. The prime mover (104 a) thereby allows the transition mechanism (104) to move the connecting member (105) from the top position to the bottom position. Further, the moving of the connecting member (105) from the top position to the bottom position enables the assembly (100) to move from the retracted position to the extended position. At the extended position, the vertical arm (108) is retracted inside the first bracket (107) and the horizontal arm (109) is extended outside the second bracket (110) in order to pull down the shelves (102). The extension of the horizontal arm (109) moves the pivotal arm (111) away from the connecting member (105) in order to pull down the shelf (102) outside the rack or cabinet (101). Therefore, at the retracted position, the shelves (102) are pulled down outside the rack or cabinet (101) as shown in the FIG. 7.

In the preferred embodiment, one or more sensors (not seen) are configured for sensing required parameters. The sensors include a proximity sensor and/or a displacement sensor and/or a vision sensor and/or a scanner and/or a position sensor and/or an IR sensor and/or a UV sensor and/or a vibration sensor. In a given example, the position sensor senses the position of the shelves (102). The displacement sensor senses the displacement of the shelves (102) when pushed inside the rack or cabinet (101) or pulled outside the rack or cabinet (101). The vision sensor may be a camera or a thermal camera that captures the images or records a video of one or more articles kept on the shelves (102) and stored in the rack or cabinet (101). The vibration sensor senses a vibration generated while moving the shelf (102). It is known to a person ordinary skilled in the art to configure known sensors within the assembly (100). The sensors send the sensed data to the controller.

The controller is a controller or a processor or a microcontroller or a microcomputer or a microprocessor. The controller receives a command for pulling down or pushing up the shelves (102) from the user using the operating device (114) through a communication module. The communication module is a wired communication module or a wireless communication module. The well-known wireless communication modules are a radio frequency, a Wi-Fi, an internet and a Bluetooth. After receiving the command, the controller enables the assembly (100) to move from the retracted position to the extended position or vice versa by controlling the energy supplied by the prime mover (104 a).

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 13, the operating device (114) is a mobile phone or a laptop or a computer or a tablet or a remote control. The operating device (114) is provided for giving the command to the assembly (100). The command may include a request for pulling down (out) or pushing up (in) the shelf (102). The operating device (114) embodies software or an app that may control the movement of one or more shelves (102) inside a rack or cabinet (101).

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 11, the vertical arm (118) and the horizontal arm (119) are linear motion arms. The horizontal arm (119) moves the shelves (102) inside and outside the rack or cabinet (101) linearly in the horizontal direction. Further, the vertical arm (118) moves the shelves (102) up and down to the user's reach linearly in the vertical direction. The vertical arm (118) and the horizontal arm (119) are positioned perpendicular to each other.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 10, a lead screw arrangement (112) is fixed to the rack or cabinet (101) that directly actuates a telescopic arm (113) in order to pull-down and push-up the shelves (102).

In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the prime mover (104 a) includes a hydraulic mover or a pneumatic mover or a hydro-pneumatic mover or a magnetic mover or an electromagnetic mover or a like. The prime mover (104 a) is directly used to move the connecting member (105) between the top and the bottom position by providing a linear motion to the connecting member (105).

In one more alternative embodiment, the assembly (100) is provided with the plurality of cameras (116), as shown in FIG. 14. and FIG. 15. One or more cameras (116) are provided for observing the articles or the sequence of the articles kept therein. Each camera (116) is provided with the plurality of rail mechanism for moving the camera (116). A horizontal rail (117) moves the camera (116) linearly in the horizontal direction. A vertical rail (117 a) moves the camera (116) linearly in the vertical direction. The user can view the video recorded or images captured using the operating device (114). One or more prime movers (104 a) may be used to drive the camera (116) along the horizontal and vertical direction over the corresponding rails (117,117 a). In this embodiment, it is preferred that the operating device (114) is a mobile phone and/or remote.

In a given example as shown in FIG. 12, the user needs to open the doors (115). The command is then given to the assembly (100) in order to pull down the shelves (102) using the operating device (114) (E.g., switch). After getting the command from the controller, the shelf guide mechanism (103) pulls down the shelf (102) connected therewith to the user's reach. After collecting the required articles from the shelves (102), the command may again be given to the assembly (100) to push up the shelves (102) inside the rack or cabinet (101) using the operating device (114). After getting the command the shelf guide mechanism (103) pushes up the shelf (102) inside the rack or cabinet (101). At last, the doors (115) may be closed.

In one more example, the cabinet or rack (101) is a refrigerator cabinet (not shown). The refrigerator cabinet is provided with the shelf guide mechanism (103) that pushes up and pulls down a freezer shelves upon receiving command via the operating device (114).

In another example, the cabinet or rack (101) is a garage cabinet (not shown). The garage cabinet is provided with the shelf guide mechanism (103) that pushes up and pulls down tool shelves upon receiving command via the operating device (114).

In another example (not shown), the cabinet or rack can have one or more linear actuators that bring the shelf out of the cabinet and multiple linear actuators that can bring the shelf down near the user.

The present invention has an advantage of providing the automatic pull-down shelf assembly (100). The assembly (100) uses the simple shelf guide mechanism (103) that allows the user to increase or decrease the number of shelves (102) as per height required at the extended position. The assembly (100) reduces the human efforts and can be easily and safely operated by children, elderly and physically challenged persons. The assembly (100) provides a provision to limit an extension of the shelf assembly (100) beyond an extended position. The assembly (100) is reliable, cost efficient, durable and compact. The assembly (100) can be easily installed with existing article storing racks or cabinets.

It should be understood according to the preceding description of the present invention that the same is susceptible to changes, modifications and adaptations, and that the said changes, modifications and adaptations fall within scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic shelf assembly (100), the assembly (100) comprising: a cabinet or rack (101); one or more moving shelves (102); a pair of shelf guide mechanism (103) mounted to the shelves (102) for allowing a movement between an extended position, and a retracted position; at least one prime mover (104 a) that provides power to the assembly (100); a controller that receives a command for pulling down or pushing up the shelves (102) from a user via an operating device (114) through a communication module; and Wherein the controller enables the assembly (100) to move from the retracted position to the extended position or vice versa as per command received.
 2. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1, wherein the shelf guide mechanism (103) comprising: a connecting member (105); a transition mechanism (104) that actuates the connecting member (105) connected therewith; a mounting plate (106) fixed to the rack or cabinet (101); a first bracket (107) fixed to the mounting plate (106); a vertical arm (108) fixed to the connecting member (105) that slides in the first bracket (107); a second bracket (110) fixed to the connecting member (105); a horizontal arm (109) fixed to the shelf (102) that slides in the second bracket (110); and a pivotal arm (111) that pivotally fixed to the mounting plate (106) at a pivotal end and to the shelf (102) at a pivot arm distal end.
 3. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1 further comprising one or more sensors for sensing required parameters.
 4. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1, wherein the user is allowed to add or remove the shelves (102) as per a height required at the extended position.
 5. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1, wherein at the retracted position, the shelves (102) are pushed up inside the rack or cabinet (101).
 6. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1, wherein at the extended position, the shelves (102) are pulled down outside the rack or cabinet (101).
 7. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 2, wherein the transition mechanism (104) comprises at least one of: a gear arrangement or a lead screw arrangement or a belt drive arrangement or a chain drive arrangement.
 8. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 2, wherein the pivotal arm (111) is rotatable about a pivotal axis.
 9. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more sensors comprises at least one of: a limit switch, a proximity sensor, a displacement sensor, a vision sensor, a scanner, a position sensor, an IR sensor, an UV sensor.
 10. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating device (114) comprises at least a knob, a pressure switch, a mechanical switch, an electromagnetic switch, an electromechanical switch, a press button, a lever.
 11. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating device (114) comprises at least a mobile phone or a laptop or a computer or a tablet or a remote control.
 12. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 2, wherein the communication module is a wired communication module or a wireless communication module.
 13. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 2, wherein at the retracted position, the connecting member (105) is at a top position.
 14. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 2, wherein at the retracted position, the vertical arm (108) is extended outside the first bracket (107) and the horizontal arm (109) is retracted inside the second bracket (110).
 15. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 2, wherein at the extended position, the vertical arm (108) is retracted inside the first bracket (107) and the horizontal arm (109) is extended outside the second bracket (110).
 16. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 2, wherein the vertical arm (108) and the horizontal arm (109) are telescopic arms.
 17. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 2, wherein at the retracted position, the distal end of the pivotal arm (111) is closure to the connecting member (105).
 18. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 2, wherein at the extended position, the distal end of the pivotal arm (111) is away from the connecting member (105).
 19. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1 further comprising a lead screw arrangement (112) fixed to the rack or cabinet (101) that directly actuates a telescopic arm (113) in order to pull-down and push-up the shelves (102).
 20. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1 further comprising one or more cameras (116) arranged with the assembly (100) for observing articles or a sequence of the articles kept on the shelves (102) of the rack or cabinet (101).
 21. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 20, wherein the one or more cameras (116) are moved along one or more vertical rails (117 a) linearly in a vertical direction.
 22. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 20, wherein the one or more cameras (116) are moved along one or more horizontal rails (117) linearly in a horizontal direction.
 23. The assembly (100) claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating device (114) embodies software or an app that controls at least on of: movement of one or more shelves (102) inside a rack or cabinet (101), opening and/or closure of one or more front doors (115) of the cabinet (101). 